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Londolozi Live

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We invite you to sign up for a Londolozi Live account and join our growing digital family united by our respect for nature and love of the wild. Membership is free and grants access to the Londolozi community, numerous innovative services and benefits across our digital ecosystem:

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Tell the community something about yourself and tweak your Londolozi profile. More of a secretive animal? Keep your profile private.

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Earn badges for your profile as you interact with Londolozi and the community as you comment, share and explore our online ecosystem. All your activity with Londolozi is now connected.

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Discuss stories

Chat with other Londolozi Live Explorers and with your favourite Contributors from the Londolozi team about their photos and stories from the wild.

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Home of leopards

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Londolozi Live q

Earth Day – A Story of Inspiration

While sipping a beer on the verandah of the Victoria Falls Hotel last week, my long standing friend, Mike Myers, who has been in the safari industry for the past 30 years, told me of two rhino recently released in Botswana who had gone walk about.

Apparently these two animals were planning an unauthorized cross border immigration into Namibia. The communities and safari industry operators in the Delta were concerned and this information reached the Botswana President, Ian Khama. He reacted immediately and incisively by deploying two battalions of soldiers and two helicopters tasked with the responsibility to capture and relocate these animals before they left the country. On his instruction, the exercise was carried out with military precision and the two wayward Rhino were returned to safe haven in the heart of the Delta.

The significance of this story was, for me, much more about symbolic leadership of a country than saving two Rhino. It was so refreshing to hear a positive story about a President working in the interests of his economy, his country, his people and the protection of his wildlife.

Earlier in that same week, I met with another longstanding friend, MAP Ives, who has spent a lifetime working in conservation in Botswana as head of Wilderness Safari’s sustainability programs. MAP described to me the three critical things that stand out in Botswana making it such a conservation success story:

Unequivocal, political support at the highest level.

Full access to state military resources as and when needed at short notice

Complete integration and alignment between government, community and private sector.

In short, Botswana represents a fine African conservation success story and an excellent example of a cooperative strategy at all levels of community, stakeholders, business, conservationists and politicians. The people of Botswana talk glowingly about their President and his commitment to protecting the Okavango Delta as a treasure for the whole world.

As I ended my 7 day safari in this amazing water wonderland, I pondered whether other African political leaders might consider the simplicity of what Ian Khama had done. Recapturing two free roaming rhino using military resources and the message which this story sends to the global audience. A message of hope, servant leadership and wildlife protection.

Returning to South Africa, I was pleased to find out that new legislation had recently been signed off by both Mozambique and South African government officials, imposing more onerous legal consequences on convicted poachers. Closer to home, the integrated anti-poaching approach, which we have been implementing using effective intelligence structures, boots on the ground and hearts and minds community partnership projects, suggests that the tide against the scourge of rhino poaching in our local region may be turning – and for a brief moment, as this years Earth Day rolls around, the rhino in Londolozi are safe.

Earth Day is a day on which events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection and here at Londolozi we continue to remain vigilant as ever and look to our political leaders to hear and see the same simple, symbolic messages and actions of support and leadership that President Khama sent to those on the front line of Rhino protection in Botswana.

In closing, I’d like to express my thanks to both Wilderness Safaris and Great Plains for their superb and wonderful hospitality during our visit to the Delta. I extend to them my heartfelt thanks and congratulations for the remarkable conservation work they continue to do and for working so hard to keep this rare and precious jewel of the Delta safe for us all.

About the Author

Dave Varty

Co-Founder/Owner

Dave's story is too full and rich to tell in a brief blog bio. Suffice it to say that it is due to his passion, hard work and lifelong dedication to conservation that Londolozi is what it is today. One of the co-founders ...

11 Comments

on Earth Day – A Story of Inspiration

It is always the bad news that gets the publicity. Nice to see some good news, especially after the news that is coming out of Zimbabwe on Yahoo yesterday about the effects of land encroachment on elephants and the increase in poaching as a result.

Great news. While at Londolozi I remember the veil on all your faces when the helicopters flew over the reserve. Every time a helicopter flies over us here in the US, I say a silent prayer for the victims of poachers.

Dear Dave, I am sure it was heartening to hear that the Rhinos were being cared for at the highest level,, I too am heading to Vic Falls and on to Hwange for the first time since UDI hoping to witness how well Zim is taking care of its precious resources… thenn on to Capetown..Keep up the good work at Londolozi.

Sara I do Hope you have a marvelous time in Zimbabwe. My family own a lovely lodge called Nehimba in Hwange National Park. they and others in the hospitality industry are continually doing everything possible to protect our wonderful diversity of wildlife. the park is looking splendid after wonderful rain and Hope you have a chance to see our lodge whilst you are there. Ian Khama is a truly inspiring man and Botswana is privileged to have him.

Hi Dave, regards to your family. Wonderful to know how a government and should be a lesson to all governments all over the world , to protect there countries for the future benefit of the survival of this beautiful world we are so privileged to be a part of! Nice to hear that Map and Mike are still involved and doing such good work and have devoted there lives to this cause. I was so blessed to be a part of Londolozi and miss it so much. I also had the privileged to work in the Tuli block for a short period.

Thank you Dave for this Inspiring story. God Bless Ian Khama. His parents must be watching him & know that they did a wonderful job in raising such a caring son to watch over his land. I wish we could send all our beloved Rhino’s to Botswana, so they can be protected.

Thank you for sharing the good news on the conservation front.. It is all a matter of education in Africa and the countries that indulge in the use of these precious resources.. I hope that Botswana and their leader, Ian Khama, can stand as an example to the rest of Africa on how it is possible when all work toward the same goal.

Associates & Awards

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Purchase a photograph

Our best photographs are available for purchase in digital format from the Londolozi Live Fine Art Store, via credit card. Purchasable photos are tagged with the Fine Art Store icon:

Once purchased, you will be able to download the full resolution, unwatermarked image (around 10Mb) from your profile page at any time. There are also different license options which you can choose from when adding the image to your cart.

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Badges

Badges are awarded for achieving various things and come with a bunch of points in tow. Here's an example badge:

We've had the pleasure of hosting you here at Londolozi and together we've experienced the magic of the wild and now you're part of the family. You've let us know about your past visits while editing your Profile.

Londolozi Guest

Awarded for visiting Londolozi.

1000

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Each badge has a basic version, such as the Londolozi Guest badge above, and then a specialist version:

Londolozi Lifer

Awarded for visiting Londolozi three times.

2000

prowess earned

for earning the Londolozi Lifer badge

To see all the badges on offer and find out how to grab them, visit the Badge Showcase or click on any badge you happen to find out there in the wild.

Senior Digital Ranger

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You've earned the badge:

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Londolozi Lifer

Leopard

On a trip to Londolozi you've been lucky enough to spot a leopard of Londolozi. You've encountered the leopard's profile card on the Blog and pressed the 'Spotted this Leopard?' button to record your sighting.

Lion Fanatic

Photographer

You've got an eye for the wilderness and have had your photographic journal from your time at Londolozi published on the Blog for others to enjoy. You found out how to submit your story by emailing us.

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700

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Storyteller

You've got the gift of the storyteller and have had a tale of your time at Londolozi published on the Blog for others to marvel at around the camp fire. You found out how to submit your story by emailing us.

Art Specialist

Good Work Foundation

You recongise the rare privilege it is to be able to experience the untamed beauty of the natural world, and have found an opportunity to give back through The Good Work Foundation, for the sake of others, your children and the wild. You've let us know about your donations while editing your Profile.

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GWF Protector

Curator

You've curated your own Favorites gallery by ♡ing at least 15 photographs which you absolutely love from around Londolozi Live. If your Favorites gallery has caught the eye of the Fine Art site Editor and is featured, you've also earned the esteemed Featured Curator badge.

Londolozi Live

Membership Overview

Londolozi Live

Membership overview

We invite you to sign up for a Londolozi Live account and join our growing digital family united by our respect for nature and love of the wild. Membership is free and grants access to the Londolozi community, numerous innovative services and benefits across our digital ecosystem:

Quick sign in/sign up

Tired of new passwords? Link your social media account of choice for instant, secure access to Londolozi Live.

Who are you?

Tell the community something about yourself and tweak your Londolozi profile. More of a secretive animal? Keep your profile private.

Track your activity

Earn badges for your profile as you interact with Londolozi and the community as you comment, share and explore our online ecosystem. All your activity with Londolozi is now connected.

Increase your ranking

Earn prowess and rank up as you interact with Londolozi Live and earn a spot on the monthly points leaderboard.

Discuss stories

Chat with other Londolozi Live Explorers and with your favourite Contributors from the Londolozi team about their photos and stories from the wild.

Curate your own galleryNEW

Add your favorite photographs from around Londolozi Live to your very own Favorites gallery, using the ♡ button, for others to enjoy.

Purchase full res photosNEW

Buy your favorite photos in full resolution, easily and securely, for download at any time from your Profile Page.

Home of leopards

Tell us which of the Leopards of Londolozi you've encountered during your visit! Their cards will move to your profile page collection.

Rent gear

Need a camera for your stay? Book it online and hassle free. Travel to Londolozi light and easy.

sightings by Members

The Leopards of Londolozi

Since 1979 Londolozi has had a love affair with leopards. Over the last four decades, this dynasty has been chronicled by the many guides and trackers, past and present, who have worked at Londolozi.

You can visit the Mashaba 4:3 Female's dedicated profile page to access a rich trove of information about this leopard, including family tree, unique markings, territory maps, timelines and a host of stunning images and videos.